EUROPEAN WONDERLAND TOUR

Price – $12,875 | Prague to Vienna

Dates: 18 Dec 2019 to 3 January 2020| Return Airfare Included

Christmas in Europe is truly magical. Christmas markets, snow-dusted scenes and the wonderfully festive holiday atmosphere make this time of year something really special. We’ve chosen some of the most beautiful cities in Europe to experience the joy of Christmas and ring in the New Year. Don’t miss this truly special 17 day tour that captures the imagination and will live in your memory forever.

Celebrate Christmas and New Years Eve in Europe with other like-minded solo travellers with your own private room accommodation throughout the tour. From Prague to Vienna you will marvel at the Christmas Markets, incredible cities and the stunning scenery that makes this part of the world during the Christmas festivities a truly unforgettable experience.

This tour has been specifically designed just for solo travellers offering a wonderful European itinerary with an Australian escort complimented by local guides on arrival to ensure your experience throughout your travel is carefree and exceptional.

*Please note: Airport Transfers are only available with the group flights

Itinerary

Day 1 – Wednesday 18 December 2019

This evening we will meet our Tour Escort and fellow travellers at Brisbane International Airport for our flights to Prague (via Singapore).

Day 2 – Thursday 19 December 2019: Arrive Prague 9:55AM

Today as we arrive at Prague International Airport as we will be welcomed by a representative who will assist with our transfer to our accommodation into the metropole of Prague next to the river Moldau. Capital of the Czech Republic, Prague is known for its colourful baroque buildings and is one of Europe’s most charming cities.

In the afternoon our guide will meet us for a taste of the city. During the tour you will hear about the myths and legends of this amazing city. Prague was always a magnet for intellectual and spiritual people like Shakespeare, Mozart, Kafka and Einstein. Furthermore you get a first impression of the lovely decorated city and several Christmas markets. There you will enjoy your first mulled wine during your Christmas tour in Europe – but for sure not the last one.

After the city tour there are lots of possibilities to enjoy the Golden city. Perhaps a visit of “Kleinseite” of Prague with its many parks, pubs and restaurants in the narrow alleys. Here you can enjoy delicacies of bohemian and international cooking. Obviously you have to try the different kinds of beer. Another way to let the day pass by is to visit the “Vystaviste” which is an exhibition area with beer gardens, carousels and a ferris wheel. Of course you can explore one of the Christmas markets as well. Dinner tonight is at the hotel.

Accommodation: Duo Praha 9 or similar (3 Nights). Dinner

Day 3 – Friday 20 December 2019: Prague

After breakfast a longer guided tour in Prague is on the program toady. We will visit the castle of Prague on top of the Hradschin. You cross the amazing gate and the different inner baileys, pass the chair of the president until you reach the gothic Veitsdom. Even more than the Golden-alley can be seen close to the castle. There are fantastic views over the town. Today we’ll try a Trdelnik – a sweet rolled spit cake, a traditional speciality in Czech Republic but also prominent in Slovakia, Hungary and Austria. Later on we will enjoy a concert with Christmas music pieces before returning to our hotel for dinner. Breakfast, dinner

Day 4 – Saturday 21 December 2019: Prague

After breakfast we will drive to beautiful Dresden (approx. 2hrs drive). Dresden is a beautiful city rich in art treasures, history and legend. Once there our guide will show us the most famous sights, as Dresden Zwinger, reconstructed Dresden Frauenkirche /Church of our Lady, Royal Palace, and Semper Opera. In addition, we’ll visit a bakery where the famous Dresden Christmas fruit cake Stollen is made and we can try this very tasty speciality. Afterwards we’ll visit the world famous Dresden Striezel Market (Christmas Market) where lots of regional handcrafts are presented including pottery, Erz Mountains wood craft, Plauen lace, Christmas decorations from Thuringia, Lausitz blue fabric and much more. After some leisure time, we will meet for dinner this evening.

Day 5 – Sunday 22 December 2019: Nuremburg

After breakfast at the hotel, we will depart to Pilsen with our guide. Pilsen and beer belong together. During a visit to a brewery you will explore all facets of the process of brewing from past to present. In the end you will try one of the traditional house beers. After some leisure time in the city we will make our way to Nuremberg, home of the well-known Christkindel Market. Over 150 stalls offer Christmas tree decoration, gifts, plays, ceramics, porcelain, Christmas sweets and much more. Almost every day there are Christmas concerts with choirs or small orchestras.

We will return to the hotel for dinner this evening. Accommodation: Le Meridien Grand Nuremberg or similar (4 Nights). Breakfast, dinner

Day 6 – Monday 23 December 2019: Nuremburg

Today after breakfast, a local guide will show us the Old Town encircled by the historic town walls. Preserved guard towers and wide gates remind us of the life in the middle ages and the Renaissance age. Half-timbered houses, gothic churches within a medieval city wall, and the shadow of the towering imperial castle (which was one of the most important residences of the emperors of the Holy Roman Empire) the old town is what you would expect from an old German city. Almost directly in the centre you can admire St. Lorenz church with a splendidly sculptured entrance. Do not miss the opportunity to taste culinary specialities like gingerbread and bratwurst.

Tonight we will meet for dinner in the hotel. Breakfast, dinner

Day 7 – Tuesday 24 December 2019: Nuremburg Enjoy breakfast this morning at the hotel and the day is free to explore Nuremburg. This morning we recommend spending some time at the Christkindl Market as it closes today at 2pm. At the town hall, there is a medieval ‘Handwerkerhof/Artisan’s Yard’. Enter into a world which brings the past to life again. In the small half-timbered houses and narrow lanes, artisans present their wares for sale, cosy inns invite you to eat and drink, and traditional craftsmanship is brought to life.

In the afternoon you can enjoy a fire tongs punch from one of the biggest punch kettles in the world or you may like to experience a Christmas Vespers, with a nativity play in the German language.

Tonight we will enjoy a Christmas Eve dinner together at the hotel. Breakfast, dinner

Day 8 – Wednesday 25 December 2019: Nuremberg

Fröhliche Weihnachten! (Merry Christmas) After our Christmas morning breakfast we will enjoy a full day tour to the Romantic Road to explore a real jewel of the Middle Ages, Rothenburg ob der Tauber. This former Free Imperial City has brilliantly retained its medieval surface and attracts over a million tourists each year. Your guide will show us all of the places of interest, especially the Town Hall and St. Jacob Church with the Holy Blood Altar, a work of the famous woodcarver Tilman Riemenschneider.

Tonight we will celebrate with a German Christmas Dinner, and perhaps a Christmas drink or two. Breakfast, dinner

Day 9 – Thursday 26 December 2019: Munich

After breakfast we travel on to the Bavarian state capital Munich – a place where traditional and modern sit side by side. Explore the Bavarian metropolis with its tempting flair which fascinates people from all over the world. Around the Mariensäule crowds are waiting for the carillon of the city hall tower. Munich is also well known for its magnificent architecture and the unique mixture of tradition and progress. So called Frauenkirche, Karl-Valentin Museum, Nymphenburg Palace, English Garden, Allianz Arena and last but not least the numerous beer gardens form the townscape and represent the Bavarian culture and way of life. Dinner tonight is at the hotel, after our introduction to Munich. Accommodation: Rilano 24/7 Hotel or similar (3 Nights). Breakfast, dinner

Day 10 – Friday 27 December 2019: Munich

After Breakfast at the hotel our guide will pick us up to start exploring. First the Nymphenburg Palace. Baroque Nymphenburg Palace was built as summer residence of the Electors of Bavaria. The palace with its artful interior belongs to one of the most visited sights of Munich and shows several important collections.

Munich is also well known as a shopping city with lots of outstanding designer shops. We’ll have a look at some of these today. As shopping can make us hungry we will visit of the Victuals Market afterwards. The Victuals Market is a popular daily open air market and regarded as a legend of the city. There one can find the freshest local and international fruit and vegetable in Munich, herbs and cheese from all over Europe and many other specialities. Tonight we will have dinner at the hotel. Breakfast, dinner

Day 11 – Saturday 28 December 2019: Munich

After breakfast at the hotel, we will be collected and we will depart on the Bavaria and Neuschwanstein Tour.

Our first stop today is Linderhof Castle and Ettal Monastery which is one of the most impressive monasteries in Bavaria. Neuschwanstein Castle was opened to the public seven weeks after the death of King Ludwig 2nd. The unsociable king built the castle as a safe haven and nowadays it is one of most famous sights and tourist magnets in Germany and Europe. We will continue to Oberammergau – well known for its Passion Play that takes place every 10 years – with the next one in 2020. After a full day exploring Bavaria we will have dinner at the hotel. Breakfast, dinner

Day 12 – Sunday 29 December 2019: Vienna/ Mödling

Enjoy breakfast this morning we will travel via Salzburg to Vienna.

On our way to Vienna we will first visit the Silent Night Chapel where the famous Christmas song was presented for the very first time. Nearby there is the Silent Night Museum where we are shown the history of the song and it’s writers. Later on you arrive at Salzburg, dominated by Fortress Hohensalzburg. On a city tour we discover the Old Town with Salzburg Cathedral, famous Getreidegasse with the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Mirabell Palace. We’ll continue on to our hotel in the town of Mödling. In the middle of the Vienna Woods (Wienerwald), at the foot of Mt. Anninger, the city has always been a favourite destination for painters, poets, and composers. Ludwig van Beethoven also enjoyed the city and spent some time here. Dinner tonight is at the hotel. Accommodation: Babenbergerhof or similar (3 Nights). Breakfast, dinner

Day 13 – Monday 30 December 2019: Vienna

After breakfast we will explore the capital of Austria – rich in excellent architecture and elegant buildings dating back to the 700-year reign of the Habsburg family. Medieval streets and squares are mixed with wide boulevards and beautiful parks. The Old Town is surrounded by the Ring.

Today we’ll visit St Stephen’s Cathedral one of the most iconic buildings in Vienna and one of the most beloved landmarks of the country. This circular grand boulevard serves as a ring road around the historic Innere Stadt (Old Town) district where medieval city fortifications once stood. After your afternoon of leisure we will enjoy dinner at the hotel together. Breakfast, dinner

Day 14 – Tuesday 31 December 2019: Vienna

This morning we depart on our tour to visit the Spanish Riding School in Vienna. Worldwide it is the only institution where classical riding arts in Renaissance tradition has been lived and cultivated for over 430 years. During the day you are invited into a café to try the world famous and absolutely tasty Sacher cake with a choice of a coffee, tea or hot chocolate. We will return to our hotel this evening and enjoy a gala dinner before heading out to watch the fireworks and people enjoying the Vienna Waltz as they welcome in the New Year. Breakfast, dinner

Day 15 – Wednesday 01 January 2020: Vienna

After breakfast we will be met by our guide and taken to Schönbrunn Palace. Schönbrunn Palace is the most popular sight in Vienna and one of the most important cultural properties in Austria. For over 10 years it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During a guided tour you will see the private rooms of the young regents and the Emperor’s family.

Tonight we will have a Farewell Dinner – the holidays may be over but the memories will remain. Breakfast, dinner

Day 16 – Thursday 02 January 2020

Depart Vienna 6:30AM – Arrive Zurich 7:55AM

Depart Zurich 10:35AM

This morning we will have an early transfer to the Vienna International airport for our journey home.

Day 17 – Friday 03 January 2020

Arrive Singapore 6:00AM – Depart Singapore 7:15AM

Arrive Brisbane 4:55PM

Only one date available 18 Dec to 4 Jan 2019

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